Two-time 1A Cross Country Finals champion Franco Martins of Windermere Prep is Portland bound. The senior placed 4th at NXN SE earning him a trip to this weekend's national championship. We caught up with Martins before he left for Oregon to talk about the race at WakeMed Sports Complex, his preparation for this weekend, and much more!
What was your training like heading into NXN SE?
I'm a weird guy with rituals and heading into the week I chose to do the same workout I did this year for the state meet, which was also what I did heading into the state meet in 2013, and probably what ill be doing again this week. Basically, just 800's on Tuesday and the rest of the week just easy short runs.
How do you prepare for a meet like that knowing you haven't really raced many of those kids?
It’s different going out to a place I’m not used to. Seeing faces I'm not used to is a terrifying experience and to make it even better throw in the fact that all the people that make the trip out are fast, really fast. Most of the preparation I would have to say is mental. Physically so many people are so similar it’s about who can dig deepest under the most pressure.
Your coach Gary Cohen told me you guys did everything to peak for this moment. How were you able to stay focused and be fresh when some kids might not have been at this point into the year?
It was hard especially with Thanksgiving and having the week off. I have to hand this one over and thank my dad for keeping me focused through this break and making me stick to my routine. Another aspect is that this has been a very long year and season, but I think by focusing all my energy towards only this meet and the state meet I was able to conserve myself and my legs for this final kick.
At the end of the race as you were about to cross that line you had a real excited look on your face. What were you thinking?
Shoot I don’t even know honestly. I had been telling myself and so many people had believed in me and told me I could accomplish both those things and somewhere deep down in my head I believed. However, believing and doing are two gigantically different things. One of the thoughts without a doubt was definitely something along the lines of “SO….MUCH…..FREE…..STUFF!!!!”
Even though you were 4th it was a new personal best by 20 seconds and arguably one of the best races of your career.
Last week, I had ran the FACA Senior All-Star Meet and split 4:40, 9:39 (to try and simulate this race) and Saturday the gun goes off and I cross at 4:40, 9:39, and having ran 15:24 at the FACA meet I was thinking to myself cool I definitely backed off there maybe if I keep pushing I'll be in the 15:10 range. Turning that corner and seeing the clock in the 14’s was shocking to me I was so confused. I don’t think that it's arguable I think this is hands down the race of my career and I wouldn’t have raced it one step differently if I could do it again.
How did you feel when you knew you advanced to NXN?
Oh I knew for sure. From the gun to the finish line I was counting how many people were in front of me. Coming in 4th was also a great relief because I didn’t have to depend on anyone ahead of me being on a team or what not.
You told me before this race and in your blog the reason you picked NXN SE is because you felt you had a better chance individually with a little less competition. Are you pleased with that decision?
While making my decision my current PR was 15:20. Looking at times from last year Nick Diaz (shout out to him for qualifying for Foot Locker this year) qualified with a 15:22 while at Foot Locker South the tenth and final spot belonged to a 14:55. Because of this I had to give myself the best shot I could and run Nike. Post race looking at results and my massive new PR and the fact that Nike was faster than Footlocker obviously it felt weird. I am very pleased with my decision however because who knows how things would have went down at footlocker etc. (Also I'm mad pumped for all the free stuff not gonna lie).
This week is a short week you fly out Wednesday at 6 a.m. What do you do this week in terms of preparation?
I did the same as the previous weeks; easy Sunday, Monday, with a short fast workout Tuesday and the rest of the week pretty much just short easy runs.
In the past NXN has been at Portland Meadows with obstacles and what not, Now its on a golf course which will be a faster layout. How does that help you?
Honestly I think it almost hurt me.I think due to the faster course it has attracted more, well faster people, which is I think one of the main causes it took such a fast time to qualify out of the region. However, having qualified I think of it as a great opportunity to go out and have another mind blowing race. Maybe it wont be as “fun,” but I think having the possibility for another PR is fantastic.
What is the game plan for this weekend and what are you most looking forward to?
Honestly, I don’t have a clue yet. I think I can go faster, but the big stage can be frightening. I'm just going to do what I always do and go for it.
Coach Cohen told me, “we built on last year, have some favorite bread and butter workouts and added a couple new and more difficult workouts this year.” What were those workouts and what do you attribute the even greater success this season too?
For me I would say my “bread and butter” is on the track. Any sort of repeats I can get into the “groove” with really click with me. Other than the people that have believed in me this whole season, especially in the beginning when I didn’t believe in myself. I think the biggest thing is mental. As I've always said I think running is 90% mental, thorough this season and the meet that sticks out for me was pre state where I was running 3rd (ish) through the two mile then panicked. I had thoughts like “why am I up here with these guys?” and “Oh crap I'm going to fast slow down you’re not as good as them.” After this race and especially at Nike I told myself hey you’re one of them now. Being able to honestly believe that you belong with some of the best is a amazing thing and I think that maturity was the big change this season for me.
What are you looking forward to most about this weekend?
I'm really looking forward to meeting those “well known” runners. Some of the kids I've read countless articles about, watched run so many times, and dreamed of racing I will finally get to interact with and ultimately race. I think that this is an amazing opportunity and I'm not going to waste it, I'm running like I have nothing to lose because, well, I don’t.
P.S. Shoutout to Steven cross and Nick Diaz for qualifying for Foot Locker as well as Rafaella and my boy Sukhi. I am really looking forward to meeting the legend himself and having a great time in Portland!
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